The Fangshan Restaurant in Beijing has served leaders and distinguished international visitors since the Qing Dynasty. Now, it's being returned to its former location on the north shore of Beihai Park, in a move to protect cultural heritage.
Originally a royal kitchen catering to the royal family, Fangshan Restaurant first opened to the public in 1925, offering meals based on Qing-Dynasty banquet menus. It features costumed waitresses and is elegantly decorated with high painted ceilings and traditional Chinese art. Previous guests include former leaders Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping. The restaurant is expected to reopen in late May.
